Ten Tips for Using Wobble Cushions in the Classroom for 2019

Ten Tips for Using Wobble Cushions in the Classroom for 2019

You will often see wobble cushions or sensory cushions in classrooms at school. One example is the sensory wedge-shaped cushion called a Move n Sit cushion. Another is the circular version called a Disc-o-Sit. Both cushions are designed to be filled with air and sat on. A wobble cushion for the classroom is often the first thing that the school’s special educational needs coordinator recommends for a child with special education needs or poor attention in class. Even if this might not be the most appropriate recommendation.

In this post, I explain what these sensory cushions are designed for and share some tips on how to use a wobble cushion correctly.

What are wobble cushions or air-filled cushions designed for?

These sensory cushions, regardless of shape, are all designed to be filled with air. This creates a moving surface for the child to sit on. The idea is that this movement (or vestibular input) will help to keep the child more alert. The aim of the wobble cushion is to help the child’s (or adult’s) attention and focus. We discuss this concept further on our sensory seating page. You should expect a student to still move about on the cushion, however, they should remain in their place and will not rock back in their chair.

Which children benefit most from a sensory cushion?

Wobble cushions can be suitable for children with ADHD or autism. They can also help children that are constantly moving about, fidgeting and maybe rocking in their chair. It is thought that these children are using their movement to help to stay alert. Within the sensory processing disorder model these children would be called movement ‘sensory seekers.’ The cushion can provide a more appropriate and less distracting way for them to receive movement whilst sitting in their chair. A cushion could also be helpful for a child who is slumped in their chair and appears to have low energy. This is because it might help to ‘wake up’ their vestibular system.

Bonus tip

Before suggesting a wobble cushion it is important to check that the child is not fidgeting because their feet can’t touch the floor. If the child’s chair is too high for them, they will find sitting still in their chair very difficult. The cushion will make them even higher and even more unstable! Also children with poor core stability and balance might find the cushions very difficult to sit on. This is because the cushion is unstable and therefore harder to stay seated on compared to a harder surface.

GriffinOT’s ten tips for using wobble cushions

Tip 1 – Monitor the wobble cushion in the classroom

Make sure you’re monitoring the child’s response to the cushion. You need to be sure that the child’s attention and/or focus is improving once they start using the air-filled sensory cushion. We discuss things that you can look out for on our sensory seating page.

Tip 2 – Inflate it!

You must inflate all wobble cushions for students! I know this seems like a rudimentary comment but I have been into a school before where a well-meaning assistant had taken out all of the stoppers as the children were playing with them. I have also had another child report that his stopper was missing and he was still sitting on the cushion. Without the air, the child may as well just be sitting on a piece of plastic. The sensory cushions typically come deflated and will need a bit of air blown into them to inflate. They will need checking from time to time. Most cushions have a valve that comes out but some need to be inflated with a ball pump and needle, this will depend on the brand and design.

How much should I inflate my wobble cushion?

The cushion should have enough air in it so that it is unstable when the child sits on it. If it is too deflated, the child will touch the bottom of the cushion when they sit down. If it is over inflated, the cushion will rock side to side like a sea-saw even when no student is sitting on it.

The base of the cushion should be stable, but when seated on the wobble cushion in the classroom the student should be able to move gently as they are seated. The amount of air will also change depending on the student’s size as heavier students will need slightly more air than lighter students.

Tip 3 – Ensure the child is on the cushion

The child must be fully seated on the cushion! Again, a simple thing to check for but I have frequently seen children in schools perching on the front of their chair to avoid sitting on the cushion. This frequently happens with the wedge style cushions (e.g. Move and Sit). If the child is perching at the front of their chair with only a little bit of their body touching the cushion, then they are not going to get any benefit from it. They should have their body back in the chair so that they are fully seated on the wobble cushion in the classroom.

Tip 4 – Check the size

Make sure the cushion is the right size for the child. Typically wobble cushions for students come in two sizes: child and adult. The child’s entire bottom and the top of their thighs should be on the cushion. Their thighs should not be bulging over the sides. Older and or bigger students may need an adult size (I have one eight year old who requires an adult-sized cushion). Don’t just assume a child will need a child’s size match the cushion to the individual student.

Tip 5 – Do the child’s feet still touch the ground?

You must make sure the child can still touch the ground with their feet when they are sitting on the wobble cushion in the classroom. The cushion, especially the Move n Sit wedge style, will make the child sit higher in their seat. The movement also makes their seat more unstable. If their feet are not touching the ground they may fall out of their chair and also be more disruptive with their movement.

Tip 6 – Flip it!

If the child doesn’t like the lumps on the cushion, it is OK to flip it. Some children who have touch sensitivity find the texture of the cushions uncomfortable. It still works used upside down (as long as it’s inflated!).

Tip 7 – A suggestion for circle shaped cushion heights

If using a circle shaped cushion, the flatter ones (max 2.5cm / 1”) are, in my opinion, best. Some of the thicker cushions have a smaller diameter to sit on, which makes them quite unstable. Some are also just unstable because the height reduces the child’s ability to touch the ground with their feet.

Tip 8 – Avoid using them as a classroom floor cushion

Wobble cushions don’t work well on the classroom floor. I often see them recommended for, or used on, the floor, but they are tricky to balance on when on the floor, especially for longer periods! Often the child is either falling about into their peers, or focusing so hard on staying balanced that they are no longer listening to the teacher.

If you need to mark out a place for the child to sit, a carpet square or circle is a better choice. Consider introducing a movement break prior to carpet time to help alert the student. Instead of a cushion, a weighted lap pad might provide more helpful sensory input to the child to stay seated if they are fidgeting a lot. If it is decided that the air-filled cushion is the best option, it may be better for the child to sit on a chair on the cushion, instead of sitting on the floor.

Tip 9 – Do not use wobble cushions in the classroom together with weighted products

I would not recommend combining an air-filled cushion with any type of weighted products, especially weighted vests. The movement of the cushion makes the child more unstable. If they have any posture or tone issues, adding extra weight to their body will cause them to really struggle. There is also a likelihood that they could injure themselves, especially if they happen to fall off their chair.

Tip 10 – Have you tried to sit on one?

My final tip for you is to try out the wobble cushion yourself. It amazes me how many teachers and parents have never actually sat on the cushion that they are recommending. Do you like how it feels? Does it help your attention? Or do you find it uncomfortable? Or annoying?

Wobble cushions for the classroom are not going to work for everyone. However, for the students they help, they are a good resource. It is really important to ensure they are used and monitored correctly.

We hope you have found those ten tips for using wobble cushions in the classroom helpful. If you did please feel free to share the tips using the sharing buttons below onto your favourite social platform. You may also want to join our mailing list or Facebook page to be the first to hear when we publish new new resources.

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